Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Release Date, Combat Mechanics and More

Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is launching April 24th, 2025, as revealed during Xbox's Developer Direct. This Belle Epoque-inspired fantasy RPG boasts innovative turn-based combat and a diverse cast of characters. Let's delve into the details!

April 24th, 2025: Confront the Paintress's Madness

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 arrives on April 24th, 2025, and will be available on day one with Xbox Game Pass. Pre-orders are open: the standard edition is $44.99, and the Deluxe Edition is $59.99 on the Xbox Store. Steam and PS5 offer a 10% discount ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively), with the Steam discount ending May 2nd, 2025, and the PS5 discount (requiring PlayStation Plus) lasting until the game's release. The game is currently wishlisted on the Epic Games Store.

Meet Monoco and Esquie: New Faces in the Expedition

The roster expands to eight characters: seven playable heroes and one dedicated to exploration. Monoco, a "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," transforms into defeated enemies, leveraging their powers. Unaffected by the Paintress's influence, Monoco's unique abilities add a strategic layer to combat.

Esquie, the oldest and strongest being in the world, focuses on exploration. He unlocks new areas and abilities by collecting special stones scattered across the open-world map. The other playable characters – Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso – were previously unveiled.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 revitalizes turn-based combat with a reactive system. Players can dodge and parry in real-time for increased damage, adding a skill-based element. Difficulty settings adjust the timing window for those who prefer a less demanding experience.

Deep character customization is key. Each character boasts unique mechanics and skill trees, exemplified by Lune's "Stain" resource. "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, offering extensive build diversity. Hundreds of build combinations allow for personalized playstyles.